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Description
This project addresses the pressing need for SMEs to transition to more sustainable practices, aligning with the European Green Deal''s vision of a climate-neutral economy by 2050. SMEs often face resource limitations and barriers that hinder their progress toward sustainable growth. While funding sources and grant support exist for innovative green solutions, SMEs struggle due to their limited innovation capacity. The project''s primary objective is to empower BRCCI to enhance the competence of its member SMEs in the realm of Green Industry Innovation. It aims to achieve this by identifying and presenting practical, ready-to-use solutions applicable to Bulgarian SMEs and facilitating experience exchange between Bulgarian and Norwegian companies. The project team seeks to spotlight exemplary, readily deployable innovative solutions that enhance operational performance while prioritizing environmental sustainability.
The project primarily targets Bulgarian SMEs in the private sector, with BRCCI boasting a network of 85 corporate members, the majority being SMEs. The project''s impact extends to an even broader audience of around 800 companies through BRCCI''s networking activities. These companies, the majority of which are SMEs, stand to gain valuable insights from the project''s outcomes, benefiting from the knowledge and practices shared during its implementation.
This projects includes a variety of key activities:
- Study of Green Industry Innovation solutions
- Study visit for Bulgarian SMEs to Norway
- Project Management
- Project Publicity
BRCCI drives Green Industry transformation, seeking Norwegian expertise to boost SME growth. The project fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange, benefitting SMEs beyond green innovations. Match-making forums and networking functions facilitate valuable business connections.
Summary of project results
The Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRRC) faces several interconnected challenges as it works to support SMEs in transitioning toward more sustainable development in line with the European Green Deal’s vision of a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
One of the primary challenges for the BRRC lies in facilitating a deep shift in the strategic thinking and operational models of SMEs. This transformation requires not just awareness but also a cultural and structural change in how business is conducted—something that many SMEs are unprepared for due to their traditional business models, limited long-term planning, and often reactive rather than proactive approach to innovation. Moreover, the BRRC operates within a landscape where SMEs are heavily constrained by a lack of financial, human, and technical resources. These limitations significantly hinder the ability of companies to invest in green transformation initiatives or adopt new sustainable practices. Even though funding and grants for green innovation are available at the European level, many SMEs are unable to access or utilize them effectively due to administrative complexity, lack of expertise, or insufficient support mechanisms.
Another key challenge for the BRRC is addressing the low innovation capacity among SMEs in the region. Many of these enterprises lack in-house R&D capabilities, access to modern technologies, or connections with innovation ecosystems. This puts them at a disadvantage, especially as Bulgaria and Romania are still considered part of the EU’s “emerging innovators,” trailing behind in terms of innovation performance.
Additionally, while clean, innovative solutions already exist, the real bottleneck lies in the rate of their implementation. SMEs often don’t have clear, accessible pathways to adopt these ready-to-use solutions, which is where the BRRC’s role becomes critical. The organization must bridge this gap by acting as a knowledge broker—identifying, translating, and disseminating practical innovations to its members.
In essence, the BRRC must navigate the dual challenge of empowering SMEs with the knowledge and tools to innovate sustainably, while also pushing for broader structural support that enables these businesses to thrive in a green economy. Its success hinges on effectively linking policy goals with actionable business strategies that SMEs can realistically implement.
The project supported the sustainable transition of Bulgarian SMEs by improving their access to practical Green Industry Innovation (GII) solutions and fostering collaboration with experienced Norwegian companies. It carried out a series of interconnected activities, including:
Research and data gathering on GII practices, resulting in a repository of solutions and a database of Norwegian providers.
Regional consultations with SMEs in Plovdiv, Varna, and Ruse to identify their specific needs.
A study visit to Norway, enabling five Bulgarian SMEs to engage directly with green innovators.
Development of a digital catalogue featuring 10–15 applicable GII solutions, accessible in both Bulgarian and English.
A final matchmaking forum in Bulgaria that connected over 70 participants, showcasing the catalogue and promoting international business partnerships.
Overall, the project created valuable tools, knowledge, and cross-border networks to help Bulgarian SMEs implement sustainable, competitive, and environmentally responsible innovations.
The project achieved several impactful results that directly benefited Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly members and associates of BRCCI, by enhancing their capacity to adopt Green Industry Innovation (GII) solutions and promoting international collaboration, especially with Norwegian innovators.
For Bulgarian SMEs:
Improved Access to GII Solutions: A total of 56 practical, ready-to-use Green Industry Innovation solutions were identified, analyzed, and compiled into a bilingual digital catalogue. These solutions cover a wide range of focus areas including renewable energy, circular economy, plastic management, digitalization, carbon capture, and more—matching the specific needs expressed by SMEs during regional meetings.
Needs Assessment and Inclusion: Through three regional meetings (in Plovdiv, Ruse, and Varna), the project engaged 62 SME representatives, who provided input on the types of innovations needed. Their feedback directly influenced the selection and content of the GII solutions presented in the catalogue.
Direct Exposure to International Best Practices: Five selected Bulgarian SMEs participated in a study visit to Norway, where they met with innovative companies such as Gen2 Energy, Zimmer & Peacock, and Monitor ERP. These exchanges helped SMEs understand successful implementations of green technologies and fostered new cross-border business connections.
Practical Networking Opportunities: The Match-making forum held in Sofia brought together 67 Bulgarian SME representatives and five Norwegian organizations, including universities and companies. This event provided a platform for live interaction, partnership building, and discussion on applying GII solutions in a Bulgarian context.
For Project Stakeholders (BRCCI, SINTEF, BISLP):
Strengthened institutional capacity to support SMEs in their transition to sustainable practices.
Developed tools and knowledge resources (such as the GII catalogue) to continue supporting green innovation post-project.
Built enduring partnerships between Bulgarian and Norwegian institutions and businesses.
The project successfully empowered Bulgarian SMEs by identifying their green innovation needs, exposing them to advanced European solutions, and creating practical tools and networks to support implementation. It facilitated a bridge between innovation providers and local businesses, helping SMEs overcome barriers to sustainability and making meaningful steps toward the goals of the European Green Deal.
Summary of bilateral results
The collaboration between the Bulgarian and Norwegian partners under the project proved highly effective, resulting in strong bilateral outcomes that extended beyond the formal project framework.- Effective Communication and Coordination: The partnership was characterized by regular and transparent communication. Frequent correspondence, joint planning of tasks, and coordination of activities ensured that both parties were aligned at every stage of the project. The cooperation included routine online trilateral meetings and one-on-one consultations that helped clarify roles, streamline responsibilities, and maintain momentum across borders.- Smooth Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Despite differing organizational cultures and work styles, the Bulgarian and Norwegian teams adapted seamlessly to a shared workflow. Mutual respect and openness facilitated a unified approach, strengthening the partnership and fostering a sense of cohesion among the project participants.- Mutual Support and Task Sharing: Both partners actively contributed to critical aspects of the project, such as the identification of relevant companies, organization of regional and international events, and preparation of project outputs. The Norwegian partner, SINTEF, played a key role in coordinating the study visit to Norway and in mobilizing Norwegian participants for the Match-making Forum in Sofia.- Foundation for Future Collaboration: The project created not only immediate results but also a foundation for long-term cooperation. The success of the partnership, built on trust and effective collaboration, has laid the groundwork for continued joint initiatives between BRCCI, SINTEF, and other involved parties even after the project’s conclusion.The bilateral partnership was a cornerstone of the G4G project’s success, enabling rich knowledge exchange, shared responsibilities, and the establishment of long-lasting international ties that will support further innovation and sustainability efforts.